Britain has updated its traffic light system, adding France to its amber list, which removes quarantine requirements for travelers from this country. Several countries, including the popular holiday destination Dubai, have also been included in the green list.
International trips to England resumed in May on a system of traffic lights, according to which countries and territories are divided into three categories depending on the risk of COVID-19: green, yellow or red. Similar rules apply in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The system is reviewed every three weeks, and today it was announced that France has been placed on the yellow list, which means that newcomers no longer need to be quarantined if they are fully vaccinated. The United Arab Emirates, India, Qatar and Bahrain have also moved to the green list, and the new rules will take effect on August 8.
Germany, Austria and Norway are among the seven countries added to the green list. But this was bad news for those traveling from Mexico, as it was reduced from yellow to red due to the growing number of coronavirus cases there. The BBC reports that there are currently more than 6,000 British holidaymakers in Mexico and they will have to return home by 4 am on 8 August to be released from quarantine.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter: “While this is right, we continue our cautious approach, but the great news is to open more destinations for people who want to communicate with family, friends and businesses around the world, all thanks to our a successful domestic vaccination program.”
All arrivals, with the exception of those traveling from the UK and Ireland, aged 11 and over, must take a PCR test before entering the country, as well as another test on the second day after arrival. Travelers must also fill out a passenger search form. Then, depending on where you came from, you need to consider some additional requirements.
Traffic light categories determine whether vacationers should be quarantined when they return home or should not visit their destination, except in emergencies. The green list includes countries where the level of infection is low and the level of vaccination is high; and includes, but is not limited to, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Some green list countries also have their own restrictions that prevent British travelers from visiting them, including Australia and New Zealand.
The Amber list consists of countries with a medium degree of risk, and some of the main tourist destinations on the list include the United States, China, Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Travelers arriving in England from amber countries are exempted from quarantine provided they have been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU or US.
Minor travel from countries on the red list, ie places where the risk of COVID-19 is still very high, is prohibited. Anyone arriving in England from these countries must be quarantined at a government-approved hotel at their own expense. The cost is currently £ 1,750 per adult at the time of quarantine, but the government has confirmed that on 12 August it will rise to £ 2,285. For children between the ages of five and 12, the cost remains the same at £ 325.